OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed Senate Bill 1119 into law, by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. The bill will remove the 270-hour limit adjunct teachers work per semester in a classroom.
“The teacher shortage is one of the most serious issues facing Oklahoma today,” Garvin said. “We’re working hard to figure out how to fill the teacher workforce pipeline, but those efforts are going to take some time. For now, we must better utilize the resources we have, which includes the professionals in our local communities who are willing to step up and fill these critical teaching positions.”
Adjunct teachers are educators who have distinguished qualifications in their field, such as scientists, attorneys or engineers. They do not have to meet the standard certification requirements given their professional background, but can be authorized by the local school board to teach a subject related to their field of expertise. Currently, adjunct teachers are helping fill more than 400 vacant teaching positions around the state.
In an effort to combat the ongoing crisis, the State Board of Education has also approved more than 3,900 emergency certifications.
“This legislation empowers locally elected school boards to hire the best-qualified individuals to educate the next generation,” Hilbert said. “By cutting unnecessary red tape, Senate Bill 1119 allows schools the flexibility to best address their classroom needs.”
Senate Bill 1119 will go into effect July 1, 2022.
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